Moving to Canada- TIPS for working on a SET or LIFESTYLE tips

morten said:
funny, seeing as I am a European who has spent a lot of time abroad and I detest both pot, beer and Kraft dinner.

but the fact that there are retards here who do smoke pot and don't understand the finer points of quality food doesn't exactly prove your point. They were shooting Smallville right outside my house two days ago. They shot a Lucy Liu movie in the building I worked in last year. I saw Jessica Alba about a month ago. and most of my [talented] friends (those willing to invest time and effort) have gotten jobs in movies, TV shows or production houses. all that's required is skill, attitude and something to offer.

mor10
*norwegian in exile*
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As you'll notice from my post, I began by saying Vancouver has grown in recent years, taking business away from Toronto...obviously there are people there just as capable as people here. I modified my post when I saw you took a shot at Toronto and it's people. Tourists love it here, and I'm sure they love it there. We aren't self-centered at all. We know you exist....and?

The same movie crap you see there is happening here. Alyssa Milano eats at my buddy's joint while she is in town, and I was there with some friends the other day while she was seated behind them...didn't even notice her.

Don Cheadle was there last month...my partner got his agent's business card after a nice conversation. I met Andrea Bargnani there (Toronto Raptor)...he is taller than you think.

I have friends and asscociates here behind the camera and in front...some on national television shows and big budget films. Big deal...the industry is big here, just as it is in Vancouver, L.A, New York, so you see these people around. My cousin's bar has been used in movies and telefilms many times for projects with Charles Bronson, Chris Penn, Steven Baldwin (my father introduced me to the latter two, and we smoked some cuban cigarettes I brought back from vacation, along with Mike McGlone)...and it has been the inspiration for a weekly show that currently airs on Showcase. I even got to meet Martin Bregman on a shoot there and we chatted for 20 minutes or so.

Seeing actors in town isn't even worthy of reflection...that's a normal day in Toronto when production season is rolling strong. There is work here, just as in Vancouver, for those who are so inclined.

Some IATSE friends of ours were trying to recruit people from our bar in the summer because the amount of work was outgrowing the union's ability to handle it....I recall something about Dustin Hoffman's Mr. Magorium's Wonder Emporium being a big job (though he's shorter than you think.) The overtime was nuts. Hopefully, the dollar won't kill the industry up here....though the WGA strike can't be seen as helpful either.

Morten, I'm sure you're a swell guy, and that Norway can pass for European in more ways than just on paper (hell, if Turkish and Israeli clubs can play in UEFA, then why not have China in the EU?)...and I'm sure your friends are all super. The Vancouver hobos/students/transplants I met were obviously not indicative of the kind of people who live out there.

If you ignore the massive heroin problem, the ritual killings, high transiency rates and hooker murders, then I'm sure the city is a gleaming jewel that shines like a beacon in the west. Still, I'd rather visit Halifax, based on what I have heard on both cities. Cleaner, safer and more fun.

....and Sad Max, those prayers should be said five times a day, just to keep kosher...
 
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That's nice to get all those big American features to be shoot in Toronto, Vancouver and here in Montreal, but it is also good to be able to develop our own films when the economic changes make the advantage less obvious.
 
Shadow said:
That's nice to get all those big American features to be shoot in Toronto, Vancouver and here in Montreal, but it is also good to be able to develop our own films when the economic changes make the advantage less obvious.
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If only...this country has such a welfare mentality when it comes to film. Everything is grants, credits, applications, matching funds...and the same three or four people are the ones getting stuff made.

There are people here making a living as grant application writers...and we're not talking for just small films. This country needs some people with private funds who want to invest in film, music, etc. The above the line talent is there, and so is the below the line...it's just the cash and the private studio system that is missing.
 
Always been the problem here, not that much private cash for film industry or the art scene and there is a lot of demand for environment project now from the private found, not a bad thing however. And we can't blame government for putting to much money in the army too, although it's worse with the Tory now.
 
just a tip: Except for Torontonians, everyone hates Toronto because the Torontonians believe that there is no world outside of Toronto. Everyone I know from Toronto who have moved out here to Vancouver never want to move back. And everyone I know from Vancouver who moved to Toronto to get a job ended up coming back. because in spite of what Torontonians say, Toronto sucks.
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I hear this argument all the time and its ridiculous. Vancouver is a great city as is Toronto, I'd prefer to live here though. That being said, this seems to be a west coast mentality that Toronto is full of arrogant people that only care about themselves, I grew up in the maritimes and there was never that type of mentality towards Toronto. The "Torontonians believe they are the Center of the universe" argument makes it seem that all Vancouverites want is attention from them, its like the little brother following around his big brother nagging him to let him play.

Still, I'd rather visit Halifax, based on what I have heard on both cities. Cleaner, safer and more fun.
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Halifax is a great city, love visiting there. I always head home for my holidays and nothing beats hanging out on PEI for three weeks in the middle of the summer, Charlottetown is also a great city (to visit).
 
thanks for the comments

thanks for the comments

Thanks so much for the comments. As a woman, I am a little afraid of Vancouver if there are the supposed " hooker and ritualistic killings". That aside, what are the best places to live. I have been looking on craigslist and it seems that there are a lot of basement apartments but no real buildings.

Also I am humbly appealing to all in Toronto or Vancouver, if you know of anything or can forward my resume along to anyone, please feel free to PM me and I will quickly send it along. :thumbsup:

Thanks for the facts about the union work. I am working on getting a permanent visa so hopefully that works out.

Thanks again.:dankk2:
 
Don't go by craigslist. You're in New York...go to a shop that sells international papers and pick up a Toronto Star. That will give you a better idea of the rental market.
 
Canada check out this guy name loki he's a filmmaker up there
 
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